9 replies to this topic

[mk22door]

Hello, currently doing up the Mrs R reg mini, it's an Mpi.

 

I would like to replace the clutch as a matter of course, when you press the pedal it seems to go down with no fuss - too easy, I assume I will need to replace the slave cylinder also?

 

I have been reading a little just before posting this, should I be buying 'verto' stuff???

 

And tips on doing the job please.

 

I reckon i'm gonna remove the whole lot from the car - that is engine and box out in one then seperate on the floor to do the clutch and service etc...(I'm anticipating the bulkhead needing welding )

 

Do the engine and box share the same oil, or is that from earlier models?

 

As I say it's a R reg Rover Mpi.

 

Please enlightenen me!

 

Cheers

[cal844]

Hello, currently doing up the Mrs R reg mini, it's an Mpi.
 
I would like to replace the clutch as a matter of course, when you press the pedal it seems to go down with no fuss - too easy, I assume I will need to replace the slave cylinder also?
 
I have been reading a little just before posting this, should I be buying 'verto' stuff???
 
And tips on doing the job please.
 
I reckon i'm gonna remove the whole lot from the car - that is engine and box out in one then seperate on the floor to do the clutch and service etc...(I'm anticipating the bulkhead needing welding )
 
Do the engine and box share the same oil, or is that from earlier models?
 
As I say it's a R reg Rover Mpi.
 
Please enlightenen me!
 
Cheers

Verto clutch kit, best to buy a clutch kit and fit that, also you need to fit the primary gear oil seal!

I'd expect the box to need a rebuild soon(second gear usually crunches!)

As per previous models yes the engine and box share the same oil, I use a mid range oil filter, and I'd also recommend a good quality 20/50 mineral oil like Valvoline VR1

hope this helps!

[mk22door]

That is good advice cal844.

 

Thanks for the tips, but will the gearbox really need a rebuild after only 46,074.9 miles?

 

Genuine mileage, one lady owner -  My Mrs being the second owner 16 years ago.. it's not been thrashed.

 

Are there specialist tools required for any of this? I was reading about torque values earlier but no other unusual tools required?

 

I've not had a mini in bits before - I'm more used to Sierra's.

 

Cheers

[David128]

HI Only special tool you require is a good flywheel puller, You can also get a sleeve to protect oil seal while fiting 

[mk22door]

Okay David, that's good to know thanks.

[brivinci]

On the trans, the later boxes are known to not be put together so great and thus not last too long. At this point in the Minis life, the end was near and no more orders of parts were coming in so they had to make do with what they had. Thats not a very good thing when it comes to gearboxes. When tolerances are off, thing go wrong quick. 

 

If your box seems good, then while it is out, take your time to inspect it. I mean REALLY inspect it. Keith Calver put out a good couple articles on the subject that are now available as an eBook for purchase. Covers more then just the box. There is very little info in any common manual about tolerances and dissembling. Like nothing. I saved these articles out of Mini World mag eons ago and then saw that they where available digitally and bought for my last rebuild. Inspecting is straight forward enough and can be done with just feeler gauges (2 are needed) but better with you have a dial gauge. Take all the numbers very seriously. If something is off, even just slightly, make it right. You have the box out so now is the time.

 

On the clutch, be sure that the flywheel surface is in perfect shape as well. If it needs to be machined at all, be sure that the shop knows that they need to take off the amount they take off the clutch surface to the mounting pedestal or you will some real problems. 

[xrocketengineer]

As far as the clutch goes, it is not just a Verto clutch. For the MPI the kit is this:  http://www.minispare...GCU90123AF.aspx

The issue is that the pressure cover is what determines the position of the flywheel and therefore the timing. That is why you see that the Minispares page shows different kits for MPI, SPI and carb engines. So if you decide to only replace some of the parts make sure to pick the right ones fro the MPI otherwise the engine might not even start. 

[MRA]

Tolerances where not off in the last build years if anything the machining was actually higher or tighter toleranced as suppliers wanted to prove they where "worthy" to keep the work...

 

The main issues with the MPi gearbox is that the engine produced better torque lower down the rev range, the tyres were more "sticky" and the final drive ratio was considerably higher ie 2.76:1  this caused more wear on things like the diff pin, layshaft etc, with all MPi's it really is worth upgrading the diff to a cross pin type, Mini Spares or Guessworks can help with these and guessworks can supply you with a flywheel puller (guaranteed for life) also any part that you need for your gearbox.

 

A cross pin diff could easily save you the gearcase as the MPI is prone to destroying the case when the diff fails.

 

One more thing.... look at the front of the case just about where the oil filter is, you will see text that is cast in to the casing, if you see JKD then make sure you either sell the case or at the very least get it back from anywhere you send it to as these are worth a fair bit of money and I have all the machining drawings to convert them to 5 or 6 speed.

Edited by MRA, 01 March 2016 - 03:35 AM.

[Blatherskite]

One more thing.... look at the front of the case just about where the oil filter is, you will see text that is cast in to the casing, if you see JKD then make sure you either sell the case or at the very least get it back from anywhere you send it to as these are worth a fair bit of money and I have all the machining drawings to convert them to 5 or 6 speed.

Sorry to butt in, but what makes the JKD case suitable for 5 or 6 speed that isn't on the others?

[MRA]

It is a different casting, they where cast by Rover's main supplier of case castings and machined as standard, I did machine quite a few from the standard to 5/6 speed use, one thing though, the last 1000 or so Rover Mini's could have had JKD cases..  it's worth a look.

Edited by MRA, 02 March 2016 - 08:49 PM.